In setting up OS X one of the convenient options is to add menu extras to the right-hand side of the menu bar, providing convenient access to system settings as well as functions provided by third-party utilities (virus scanners, activity monitors, etc). Sometimes, however, some or all of these menu extras may become nonfunctional and show the spinning color wheel when you mouse over them.

OS X supports a number of menu bar additions (known as "menu extras"), which can be convenient; however, you may run into problems where placing your mouse over the icons will give no response and may show the spinning beachball.